How to Order a Beer All Over the World

The craft beer revolution of the last several decades in the United States has left many beer-drinking Americans justifiably feeling like they are on top of the beer world. But clearly, long before craft successes like Heady Topper or Sierra Nevada, long before America's big beer companies—long before the United States itself—beer was beloved in most every corner of the world. It’s the world’s most popular alcoholic beverage for a reason. And the Atlas of Beer, a new book out from National Geographic, explores the diverse beer cultures, styles and histories every hophead should know about. It’s full of maps highlighting the breweries you’ll find from Canada to Cambodia, tasting notes from Brooklyn Brewery’s Garret Oliver and enough fun facts to drop while drinking at your preferred beer bar for at least a year (did you know that the first Asian brewery was in the Indian Himalayas?).

While a fun coffee table book, it's also quite useful. The book provides translations of beer orders in various languages so when you’re imbibing around the world you won’t have to struggle with the bartender and can get right to what’s most important—that beer.

Here, the Atlas' suggestions on how to ask for a beer in eight different countries on four continents.

Germany

“Unlike in the United Sates where beer is ordered by naming the brewery, in Germany, beer is typically ordered by style designation. Each beer comes in a glass specifically created to compliment its style. Say “Einen halben Liter___, bitte” (IHN-en HALB-en LEE-tah___, BIT-teh): A half liter of ___ please.” Fill in the blank with a beer style.”

France

“Once you arrive at the pub, order by saying “Une biere, s’il vous plait” (Oo-n BEE-yair, si voo play): “A beer please.” You’ll also need to pick a serving size. The two most common are une pinte (OON peent), a pint, and un demi (un de-MEE), a half pint.”

Italy

“You can order a draf beer simply by saying ‘Grandirei una birra alla spina, per favore’ (grad-ee-RA-ee U-na beer-RAH AI-la SPI-na PER fa-VOR-ay): ‘I would like a beer.’”

Russia

Spain

“Once you’ve settled in at el pub, order a beer by saying ‘Me gustaría una botella de cerveza fría’ (may goosta-REE-a U-na bot-TAY-ya de serVAY-sa FREE-ya)—‘I would like a cold bottle of beer.’ An IPA here is prounced ‘EE-pa,” not “I-P-A.’”

Brazil

“If craft beer is what you are seeking, you will want to go to a microcervejaria (ME-crow ser-VEH-ja-ree-AH), which means ‘microbrewery,’ and ask for uma cerveja, pro favor (OO-mah ser-VEH-ja, pohr faw-VOHR): ‘One beer, please.’”